The rugged granite mountains in the north of Beijing offer an ideal playground for extreme sports aficionados, with rock climbing and rappelling (abseiling) being major draws. On Tianmen Mountain in Miyun District, the Tianmen Cave—naturally formed by geological shifts—presents a challenging, hundred-meter drop. On weekends, adventure clubs guide trainees to this location for a thrilling rope descent.
Originally introduced as part of mountain safety and rescue techniques, rappelling is becoming an increasingly popular adventure activity in China, as younger generations gravitate toward outdoor recreation and experiences close to home.
(Text and photos by Wei Yao)
